Water operators, often women, are in charge of the day-to-day operation of the kiosk. A team of technicians visits the kiosks regularly and performs preventive maintenance of the treatment unit, including cleaning of the membranes. Most of the maintenance technicians hold a degree from the country universities and they can usually assume full responsibility for the periodic maintenance tasks after about 3 months of training. The organisational arrangement and the membrane treatment of choice guarantees water quality. Water is distributed in 20 litre cans. Thus the kiosks serve both as a treatment plant (for example for fluoride removal) and as a distribution centre where water is sold to the community at the most affordable price.
